[1]Piercefield July 29. 90SirI am extremely obliged, for the account you had the goodness to write me of my Son – so far from its being trifling to me, I assure you it was highly interesting, & I thank you for entering so much into the feelings of a Mother – I have always flatterʼd myself, that my Sonʼs disposition was naturally good; the greatest failing I ever observed in him, was an extreme Indolence, but I hope from the kind attention you pay to him, & from the example which a Gentleman of your Character will be sure to set him, that will be conquerʼd – & that I shall have the joy of seeing him an Amiable Man! – He appears to have a great wish for a Military Life, & thoʼ it is not exactly what the Father of a large family would wish for his eldest Son, yet Mr. Smith is so desirous of contributing all he can to his happiness, that he has consented to his desire – it will now be necessary to change the course of his Studies & to leave off Arabic & Persich – [2] I am happy in this opportunity Sir, of expressing the great satisfaction Mr. Smith & I have at your return to my Son, & of thus assuring you we are extremely Sensible of the delicate & Gentlemanlike manner in which you withdrew yourself from him – We hope he will prove his Gratitude for your generous Conduct, by his respectful attention, & endeavors to make your situation as pleasant to you as he can –Mr. Smith desires his Compliments –I am with great Respect SirYour most Obedient ServantJ. SmithI hope you will excuse a very hasty scrawl as I write in Company, which prevents Mr. Smithʼs writing to you himself.

[1]Piercefield July 29. 90SirI am extremely obliged, for the account you had the goodness to write me of my Son – so far from its being trifling to me, I assure you it was highly interesting, & I thank you for entering so much into the feelings of a Mother – I have always flatterʼd myself, that my Sonʼs disposition was naturally good; the greatest failing I ever observed in him, was an extreme Indolence, but I hope from the kind attention you pay to him, & from the example which a Gentleman of your Character will be sure to set him, that will be conquerʼd – & that I shall have the joy of seeing him an Amiable Man! – He appears to have a great wish for a Military Life, & thoʼ it is not exactly what the Father of a large family would wish for his eldest Son, yet Mr. Smith is so desirous of contributing all he can to his happiness, that he has consented to his desire – it will now be necessary to change the course of his Studies & to leave off Arabic & Persich – [2] I am happy in this opportunity Sir, of expressing the great satisfaction Mr. Smith & I have at your return to my Son, & of thus assuring you we are extremely Sensible of the delicate & Gentlemanlike manner in which you withdrew yourself from him – We hope he will prove his Gratitude for your generous Conduct, by his respectful attention, & endeavors to make your situation as pleasant to you as he can –Mr. Smith desires his Compliments –I am with great Respect SirYour most Obedient ServantJ. SmithI hope you will excuse a very hasty scrawl as I write in Company, which prevents Mr. Smithʼs writing to you himself.